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Tuesday, May 06, 2014

On Juggling

I forget that people worry about that. I forget that I'm important to people.

I visited a doctor recently, who is also a friend. She burst into tears when I explained I'd come in because I was due for a check-up rather than because the cancer was back and I needed her help gearing up for more hard-core treatment. I was surprised and humbled by her emotion, and I suppose also flattered.

So I mean it sincerely when I say I'm sorry for my lack of communication. I've been neglectful of this blog, and of my video-making practice. It isn't because I don't love you (I do) or because I've lost interest (I haven't). I just got to the point where I was juggling way too many balls and the circus act had lost its charm.

This video is terribly out of date, but I hope you enjoy it just the same. (There's one more beyond this one, and then a little raw footage I still plan to process.)

After that, a clean slate.

Well, not exactly clean.

I'm in the finishing touches stage with a book-length memoir (about the year I spent homeless, traveling the country, living in my van) and the second draft phase of yet another memoir (about infertility and abortion and everything that prompted this blog in the first place.) I'm planning a third book too, a memoir of living happily ever after cancer, and a cookbook. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, it's almost time to begin shopping for a book agent.

Oh, and also, I started writing for Reimagine magazine. Two articles so far (salad recipes), two more soon to come. Find those here.

Please subscribe to Spark*Letter (top right of this page) if you want more of me. I promise I won't inundate you with spam. In fact, I'll let you in on a secret—I'm yet to send a single message. But I'm gearing up for the first installment of a short, fun, inspiring, monthly email treat. Perhaps I will shower my ground-floor subscribers with gifts. No kidding. Let me know what you want.

Besides all that, I invite you to follow me on Facebook if you don't already. Because even when deadlines loom and blogging falls to the wayside, I still find time to share adorable and hilarious photos of my dog, and inspirational/aspirational pictures of my lunch, and other random snippets of life.

I hope you are well. I hope that if you're juggling too many balls, like I was, that you put some down. Apologize if you must, but do whatever is necessary to place yourself firmly in the center of your own life. Despite what you learned when you were two, you have the right to the word "No." You are allowed to change your mind. Juggling is not required.

5 comments:

You have made my day! I found your Vlogs soon after I was diagnosed with breast cancer and small lymphocytic lymphoma, almost 18 months ago. You were and are a very important part of my healing journey. I am on your Facebook friends and enjoy seeing Millie and getting peeks at your life. I am so excited about the books! I am especially excited about the cook book. I love seeing you cook in your Vlogs. Even though I have never met you in person, I feel like you are a friend, and I am grateful. Hugs, Jannie

Ahhhhhhhhhh, so good to hear your voice and see Millie. It's great to share the breastcancer.org site. It has been such a blessing to me. The thread on the emotions after treatment ends is so supportive and loving. You are "love" to me and have been such source of inspiration.

Hi Amy,So glad to watch another video. You're looking good and healthy. It was funny watching you at the beach. When you were talking into the camera you looked like you were afraid of being caught playing hooky. I look forward to the books, will they be available through amazon?Please making your vlogs, there are inspirational. Thankyou for being you.Love and hugs from across the ocean,Deborah.

Thanks for checking in and sharing updates! Glad to hear you are well, both in health and life. Hope things work out well for your books and will look forward to hearing more as things unfold. Best of luck and sending good vibes your way!!

Thank you thank you thank you dear familiar friends for your comments. (funny how I've become fond of you all, when I know so little about you. It has been a blessing to me that you reach out in return when I put out my little slices of life.) I will post the next video in the next blog entry (soon, maybe even today) and I'm working on the raw footage that comes next. Little by little.

As for the book question – I do hope to find an agent and a publisher, rather than self-publishing, but if it comes to that, I'll do it. In any case, one way or another, they will eventually be available on Amazon. I promise.